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'Ulster is going to be a big, big game. They will be very amped up. It’s going to be hard and physical, and fast. They are a great attacking side.'
Ulster’s Michael Lowry during their win against the Stormers in Belfast. Picture: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The Sharks are riding high on confidence ahead of their last game on tour, but they know Ulster have it all to play for in what is almost certainly their final home game of the season.
The teams clash in the 16th round of the United Rugby Championship (URC) at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast on Saturday (kick-off 8.35pm).
Sharks centre André Esterhuizen said the team is in great spirits after their scintillating 18–17 win against Edinburgh in Scotland last weekend. They triumphed against the strong Scottish side, where the Bulls and Lions had failed in the preceding weeks, though victory came for the Sharks only thanks to a last-minute try from wing Makazole Mapimpi on the sideline. The Sharks were statistically the weaker side on the day.
Ulster play away at Munster and Edinburgh in their last league games and due to their positioning on the table, have almost no chance of hosting play-off matches should they qualify.
They sit 10th on the log, three points away from eighth position but 12 points off the fourth-placed Sharks, who are in a good position to host a home play-off against the team that finishes fifth.
Sharks in good spirits
Esterhuizen, who earned Man of the Match against Edinburgh for winning the most turnovers and completing a try-saving tackle, said the Sharks have had a good week of training in Belfast.
“The weather is looking quite good. It might be a little wet on Saturday, which will change conditions a bit. But we’ll adapt and be ready for anything,” he said.
“Our training week has been good. The boys look focused and ready for the task ahead. The mood in the camp is great, everyone is in good spirits. We’ve been having a good tour so far.”
However, the Sharks have only played one other game on the tour so far, losing 34–21 to Lyon in the Challenge Cup last 16, ending their hopes of defending the title.
Ulster have it all to play for in final home game
The Durban side will not have it any easier against their Irish opponents.
“Ulster is going to be a big, big game. It is a massive game for them – their last home game. They will be very amped up. It’s going to be hard and physical, and fast. They are a great attacking side, so our defence needs to be on point.
“We also need to be sharp in our attack, execute all the opportunities we get to be successful over the weekend to put an end to a successful tour.”
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